Colourful and creative Basingstoke Festival returns for 2026

Basingstoke Festival 19th June - 5th July

Three Weekends, credit Paul Blakemore

What's On in Hampshire

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Hampshire is ready to welcome you for an unforgettable year of culture, coast and great days out. Whether you love historic cities, family‑friendly attractions or beautiful countryside, you’ll find plenty to Hampshire events to enjoy across the county in every season.

Hampshire Events

2026 is packed full with exciting moments to share, and events to enjoy. This summer the Utilita Bowl near Southampton will host six ICC Women's T20 Cricket World Cup matches between 13th –20th June 2026, making it one of the county’s biggest sporting events of the year. In Portsmouth, the city celebrates its 100th anniversary, with an host of events and a 100 things to see and do - one of the highlights is the fun and colourful summer of lion sculptures dotted across streets and along the seafront, perfect for families, art lovers and anyone looking for a fresh way to explore - on from the 13th July - 13th September (F). 

For three weekends in June, the streets of Basingstoke town centre will be filled with street theatre, acrobatics, and world-class preformances with the Basingstoke Festival, which celebrates its 15th anniversary - free to visit (F). Whilst in Alton Hampshire head along to the Jane Austen Regency week which runs from 19th - 28th June and includes the chance to  join Jane Austen's family at Chawton House for a Regency picnic. Look to the skies in July, as the Farnborough International Airshow returns with its public open day on the 24th July 26, offering the chance to see aircraft and flying displays, augmented reality and hands-on activities and exhibits, whilst Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey, celebrates the 25th anniversary of the beautiful Hydrangea Walk bringing vibrant mid‑to late‑summer colour to woodland paths lined with mature camellias, flourishing hydrangeas and elegant viburnums.

From scenic coastline and vibrant events, to cosy villages, walking trails and great places to eat, Hampshire is the ideal spot for a short break or longer escape. Start planning your 2026 adventure today and make sure you don't miss some of Hampshire top events within your plans.

Spa Day at Hilton Southampton Utilita Bowl

What's on in the Hampshire in May, June and July?

Grab your calendar and take a look at what's happening in Hampshire over the up-coming months with our featured events list or scroll to the bottom and discover hundreds of events happening today, this weekend and across this year.

What's on in Hampshire today?

To find out what's on in Hampshire today or this weekend use the 'what's on search box' above to narrow down your required date. Families on a budget can look out for the many free events (F) taking place, you'll also find plenty of fun activities for kids to do whether it's during the holidays or on a weekend break. 

Staying overnight?

If you're travelling from outside the area for an event in Hampshire, there are numerous hotels and other accommodation options to suit your needs.

>>> Search & Book Hampshire Accommodation

Hampshire events near me

The guide below shows our calendar of events in Hampshire. Whether you're looking for What's on this weekend or further ahead, whether you're local or visiting the area for the first time, find what's happening near you by clicking the 'Map View' button. Some of the events below are on the Isle of Wight, as it's easy to hop over on the hovercraft or ferry from Portsmouth or Lymington to the island. 

What's on in Hampshire

Number of results:

Number of results: 163

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Curious About Portsmouth

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    The Hard, Portsmouth

    Get ready to explore Portsmouth like a real‑life detective! With two treasure‑hunt walks, you’ll spot clues, solve puzzles, and discover amazing things you’ve never noticed before. It’s fun, it’s outdoors, and it’s perfect for curious kids (and…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
  2. Isle of Wight Randonnee

    Type

    Type:

    Cycling

    Islandwide

    The Isle of Wight Randonnee is a non-competitive cycle ride established by the Wayfarers in 1985.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Sept 2026Open 09:00 - 18:00
  3. Dinosaur Madness

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Binsted

    Experience dinosaurs like never before with our roaming T. rex, baby dino meet-and-greets, and thrilling live shows. Take the dinosaur trail around the Park and discover all the fun facts about these prehistoric creatures, you never know what you…

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 May 2026
  4. Steam to the Solent cruise & Merchant Navy Day Service

    Type

    Type:

    General event

    Southampton

    Steam down Southampton Water to the Solent, passing the cruise ships Iona, MSC Virtuosa, Ventura and Queen Mary 2 in berth, and on your return see a number of the ships depart – always the chance to sound our whistle and play the ‘Shieldhall Organ’!…

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2026Open 15:30 - 19:00
  5. The Paint Club painting party at The Boathouse Cafe

    Type

    Type:

    Arts

    Swanwick Shore Road, Swanwick, Southampton

    About the Event
    Everything You Need to Paint a Masterpiece

    Join The Paint Club for a relaxed and creative evening of painting! One of our friendly artists will guide you step-by-step from a blank canvas to your very own work of art.

    Each artist…

    Dates

    From:
    10 June 2026Open 18:30 - 20:30
    From:
    8 July 2026Open 18:30 - 20:30
    From:
    12 Aug 2026Open 18:30 - 20:30
  6. Taste Of The Caribbean Food and Drink Festival - Basingstoke

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Basingstoke

    The UK's biggest food festival dedicated to Caribbean food returns bigger and better for another amazing family day of food, drink, cooking demonstrations, shopping and music.

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
  7. Steamship Shieldhall Cruise to the Isle of Wight and the Medina River

    Type

    Type:

    General event

    Southampton

    Join us on an exciting cruise when Shieldhall will venture into the Medina River on the Isle of Wight! On our way down Southampton Water we will pass the cruise ships Celebrity Apex, Iona, MSC Virtuosa, Oceania Insignia and Seven Seas Grandeur at…

    Dates

    From:
    6 June 2026Open 13:00 - 17:30
  8. KIDS EAT FREE at The Parsons Collar

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Whiteley, Fareham

    Make your Sundays better with
    KIDS EAT FREE at The Parsons Collar
    With on paying adult
    A great wat to finish of your busy week. On Sunday's eat FREE with a paying adult. Not to be used in conjunction wiht any other offer or discount.

    To book…

    Dates

    From:
    9 Nov 2025to6 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 21:00
  9. Isle of Wight Walking Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Islandwide

    Walk this way! The Isle of Wight Walking Festival, sponsored by Outdooractive, will return in Spring and Autumn 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Oct 2026to11 Oct 2026
  10. Southsea Food Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Southsea

    The annual Southsea Food Festival is back for 2025!

    Dates

    From:
    4 July 2026to5 July 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  11. Ryde Carnival Main Procession

    Type

    Type:

    Carnival

    Ryde

    Ryde Main Carnival on the Isle of Wight Joyous and inspirational, Ryde Carnival brings a dazzling end to Summer on the Isle of Wight. All are welcome to enjoy the entertaining parades that light up the coastal town with fun, colour and carnival…

    Dates

    From:
    3 Sept 2026
  12. Heritage Open Day Docks Cruise

    Type

    Type:

    General event

    Southampton

    Shieldhall Southampton Docks Cruise to mark Heritage Open Days, at a very special price of £19.55 per adult ticket, reflecting the date of launch of Steamship Shieldhall! Pass the four cruise ships Arvia, Borealis, Mein Schiff 2 and Norwegian Star…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Sept 2026Open 16:00 - 18:00
  13. Ventnor Children's Carnival

    Type

    Type:

    Carnival

    Ventnor

    Children's Carnival in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight Fun for all the family at Ventnor Children's Carnival! 

    Carnival route information For the route details please visit the carnival website.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Aug 2026
  14. Cowes Week

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Cowes

    Since 1826 Cowes Week has played a key part in the British sporting summer calendar and is one of the UK's longest running and most successful sporting events.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2026to7 Aug 2026
  15. Three Rivers Music Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Porchfield

    Three Rivers Festival returns to Durrants Farm, Porchfield, from 29–31 May 2026, with its first wave of artists now confirmed. This year's early announcement features Dub Pistols, Jaguar Skills, The Undercover Hippy, Born ina Barn, Fellowship of…

    Dates

    From:
    29 May 2026to31 May 2026
  16. Cruise from Poole Quay to the Jurassic Coast with the Wareham Whalers Shanty Band

    Type

    Type:

    General event

    Southampton

    Join our volunteers as we explore the World Heritage Jurassic Coast coastline. Our route will see Shieldhall depart her Poole Quay berth, passing the exclusive Sandbanks area and crossing the chain ferry route close to the port entrance before…

    Dates

    From:
    15 Aug 2026Open 11:30 - 16:00
  17. Ventnor Fringe

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Ventnor

    Ventnor Fringe is a unique celebration of the arts, showcasing emerging and established talent across every creative discipline.

    Dates

    From:
    17 July 2026to26 July 2026
  18. Newport Illuminated Carnival

    Type

    Type:

    Carnival

    Newport

    Newport Illuminated Carnival on the Isle of Wight Join in the carnival fun with Newport's Illuminated procession!

    Carnival route To view the carnival route map, please visit the carnival website.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Aug 2026
  19. Great South Run Weekend

    Type

    Type:

    Run / Rally

    Portsmouth

    The world's premier 10-mile event returns to Southsea in October 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Oct 2026to18 Oct 2026
  20. Pizza and Milkshake Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Whiteley, Fareham

    Pizza and Milkshake Workshop
    Saturday 21st February 11am to 12.30pm
    Saturday 28th March 11am to 12:30pm
    Saturday 4th April 11am to 12.30pm
    Saturday 30th May 11am to 12:30pm
    Come down to Parson's Collar and create your own pizza, add toppings of…

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026Open 11:00 - 12:30